The post-season has started with some real surprises as regular season winners FC Bayern Munich, reigning champions ratiopharm ulm and NINERS Chemnitz all lost home court advantage to MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, Würzburg Baskets and RASTA Vechta, respectively. ALBA BERLIN were the only higher seed to hold home court in the first two games. This week also saw three easyCredit BBL head coaching jobs open up as SYNTAINICS MBC, ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES and MLP Academics Heidelberg all decided against bringing back their playcallers.
In this section, we break out our English language skills and inform you about the latest news from the German easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. If you’re short on time but still want your fill of Germany’s top basketball league then you are in the right place. Every week David Hein (www.heinnews.com) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Ludwigsburg rally to steal home court advantage over top seed Bayern
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg pulled off a major upset to start the playoffs as they defeated regular season champions FC Bayern Munich 102-98 in overtime in Game 1 on the road to steal home court advantage. After going through the Play-Ins, Ludwigsburg fell behind by 10 points early in the second quarter, and Bayern’s advantage was as many as 14 points in the third quarter. Bayern still led by 13 points with 8 minutes to play but Ludwigsburg went on a 20-6 run to take the lead. The game went back and forth and the guests were up by 5 points with 24 seconds to go. But Andi Obst made two three-pointers - the second banking in off the glass at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. Jaren Lewis hit a triple in the extra session and then sealed the game with two free throws with 6 seconds to play. Ludwigsburg committed only 9 turnovers and shot 42.1 percent on three-pointers with 16 triples to 11 for Bayern. Silas Melson paced Ludwigsburg with 33 points, Desure Buie scored 20 points with 7 rebounds and 8 assists, Jeff Roberson added 15 points and Lewis finished with 11 points. Carsen Edwards was Bayern’s top scorer with 25 points while Obst and Devin Booker both had 16 points in the losing effort.
Edwards, Bonga stand out as Bayern even series with Ludwigsburg
FC Bayern Munich rebounded from their upset loss in Game 1 of their opening round series with a convincing 83-67 home win over MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg to pull even at 1-1. After a slow start, Bayern began to take control in the second quarter and never led by fewer than 10 points in the second half. Bayern dominated the glass with a 40-25 rebound advantage and shot 57.7 percent for the game - 63.6 on two-pointers and 47.4 percent from long range - while holding Ludwigsburg to just 34.5 percent from the field, including 23.3 percent on three-pointers. Carsen Edwards drained 4 three-pointers in scoring a team-high 21 points, Isaac Bonga collected 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench and Serge Ibaka contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Silas Melson scored 20 points to pace Ludwigsburg.
Buie stars as Ludwigsburg down Hamburg in final Play-Ins game, will face Bayern in playoffs
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg became the final team to book their spot in the playoffs as they defeated Veolia Towers Hamburg 91-78 at home in the last Play-Ins game. Ludwigsburg bounced back from their Play-Ins loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn and jumped ahead by 12 points in the first quarter. The hosts never let Hamburg back in the game and advanced to a first round playoffs date with regular season champions FC Bayern Munich. Ludwigsburg committed only 11 turnovers and shot 69.2 percent on two-pointers. Desure Buie hit 5 three-pointers and scored 26 points with 6 assists and Silas Melson added 17 points in the win. Aljami Durham poured in 34 points but they were not enough for Hamburg, whose season was ended.
Würzburg steal home court advantage from reigning champs Ulm, injury worry about MVP Livingston
Würzburg Baskets snatched home court advantage from reigning champions ratiopharm ulm as they collected a 78-65 road victory - though MVP Otis Livingstone went down with an injury - just days after shedding tears with his father who told him the news that he won the MVP award. Würzburg’s defense held strong in the fourth quarter and conceded only 9 points for the win. Würzburg limited Ulm to just 36.2 percent shooting for the game including 26.3 percent rom long range. Livingston did a bit of everything for Würzburg with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists but had to leave the court with a knee injury with 2 minutes left in the game. Zac Seljaas added 17 points and 7 rebounds and Isaiah Washington contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Justinian Jessup had 11 points and fellow reserve Georgina de Paul added 10 while Ulm’s starting combined for only 30 points.
Ulm roll past Würzburg to even series 1-1, MVP Livingston out weeks
Reigning champions ratiopharm ulm played a strong game at both ends in rolling to a dominant 100-64 home victory over Würzburg Baskets to even their playoffs series at 1-1. Würzburg’s stealing home court advantage in Game 1 had a major downside as MVP Otis Livingston went down with a knee injury and he missed Game 2 and will likely miss weeks of action. After a tight first quarter, Ulm started pulling away in the second quarter and the second half was a blowout. Ulm committed only 8 turnovers to 18 for Würzburg without their main playmaker Livingston. Ulm shot 52.1 percent from the field including a blistering 73.5 percent on two-pointers while Würzburg could only manage 36.7 percent shooting. LJ Figueroa paced six Ulm players in double figures with 21 points, Georginho de Paula had 15 points, Pacome Dadiet picked up 12 points and 5 rebounds and Juan Nunez chipped in 10 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Zac Seljaas, Darius Perry and Isaiah Washington all scored 14 points as they tried to make up for the lost production due to Livingston’s absence.
Captain Klepeisz re-signs for another year with Ulm
ratiopharm ulm captain Thomas Klepeisz will be back for next season as the Austrian point guard re-signed for another year. The 32-year-old Klepeisz joined Ulm in 2020 for the season-ending tournament and did not miss a single game this season for the team.
Chemnitz fend off Vechta comeback for first ever playoffs win
NINERS Chemnitz collected their first playoffs victory in club history as they fended off a RASTA Vechta comeback to win 83-77 at home. Chemnitz built a 21 point lead early in the fourth quarter when Vechta started to rally, closing the deficit to 4 points with 95 seconds left. Chemnitz answered with the next five points to secure the win. Chemnitz dominated in the paint 42-20 and shot 61.8 percent on two-pointers while Vechta made just 31.6 percent of their two-point attempts. DeAndre Lansdowne did it all for Chemnitz with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals while Wes van Beck added 17 points and 6 assists. Tommy Kuhse scored 18 points for Vechta but converted just 7-of-20 shots and teenager Johann Grünloh added 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Aminu career-high of 30 carries Vechta past Chemnitz, snatches home court advantage
RASTA Vechta stole home court advantage of their playoffs series with NINERS Chemnitz with a three-point barrage leading to a 96-87 road victory. Vechta made eight consecutive three-pointers at one point and finished with 16 triples to even the series 1-1. Vechta took over the game with a 17-8 run spanning the second and third quarters. Joel Aminu knocked down 5 three-pointers in scoring a career-high 30 points with Ryan Schwieger added 20 points and Tommy Kuhse picked up 16 points with 5 assists. Chemnitz, who were playing without two key players in injured Kaza Kajami-Keane and suspended Aher Uguak, were led by DeAndre Lansdowne with 26 points and Wes van Beck added 20 points and Jonas Richter tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Berlin shoot themselves into 1-0 lead over Bonn
ALBA BERLIN took a 1-0 lead in their first round playoffs series with Telekom Baskets Bonn by making 14 three-pointers in route to a 94-68 victory. Berlin started pulling away the second quarter and never let Bonn back into the game. Berlin dominated the glass 46-18 and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds while shooting 54.6 percent from the field and converting 20-of-22 free throws compared to just 2-of-5 for Bonn. Matt Thomas drained 5 three-pointers in scoring 18 points while Johannes Thiemann added 12 points and Sterling Brown and Martin Hermannsson both scored 10 points and combined for 13 assists. Bonn were led by Noah Kirkwood’s 14 points.
Berlin face tougher test from Bonn, but grab 2-0 series lead
ALBA BERLIN faced a much sterner test from Telekom Baskets Bonn but took a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoffs series after an 83-70 home victory. Berlin were forced to play Game 2 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle, but they remained perfect at their old stomping grounds with a 6-0 record this season. Berlin never trailed but only were able to put Bonn away with a 10-0 spurt in the final 4 minutes. Johannes Thiemann scored 15 points, Matt Thomas had 13 points and Khalifa Koumadje chipped in his first double-double in the league this season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Fobbs’ 17 points were not enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR72gGeyx4I
Berlin make Australian McDowell-White first addition for 2024-25
ALBA Berlin only just started the playoffs but they have already announced their first addition for the 2024-25 season as Australian Will McDowell-White will join the club on a two-year contract. The Australian international point guard played the last four seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL league, averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season. McDowell-White will be returning to Germany after he was under contract with Bamberg Baskets from 2017 to 2019 - though he played predominantly with Bamberg’s ProA cooperation side Baunach.
Bonn take down Ludwigsburg in Play-Ins, set up playoffs showdown with Berlin
Telekom Baskets Bonn successfully went through the Play-Ins to reach the playoffs as they defeated MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 90-69 at home in the game between 7th and 8th placed teams. Bonn scored 32 points in the first quarter and rolled to the win - Bonn’s sixth against Ludwigsburg this season and ninth in a row over the past two seasons. Bonn committed only 9 turnovers and shot 47.8 percent on three-pointers with 11-of-23 attempts while Ludwigsburg converted just 7-of-30 from long range for 23.3 percent. Brian Fobbs hit 4 three-pointers for 20 points and Thomas Kennedy tallied 18 points and 7 rebounds. Ludwigsburg did have Deion Hammond score 13 points off the bench but the starting five combined for only 21 points. Ludwigsburg still had another chance reach the playoffs as they went on to face Veolia Towers Hamburg in the Play-Ins game for the eighth spot in the playoffs.
Hamburg make history with first-ever Play-Ins win, beat to Oldenburg to stay alive for playoffs
Veolia Towers Hamburg remained alive for the final spot in the playoffs as they defeated EWE Baskets Oldenburg 93-81 on the road in the first-ever Play-Ins in German league history. In the game between the ninth and 10th placed teams, Hamburg trailed at halftime but built a 16-point lead in the third quarter and cruised to the win. Hamburg shot 65.6 percent on two-pointers and out-rebounding the hosts 41-28 as they moved into the final Play-Ins game at MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. VJ King led the way with 24 points, Aljami Durham had 14 points and 7 assists and Mark Hughes and Will Christmas both scored 13 points. Oldenburg now head into the off-season despite Geno Crandall picking up 18 points and 11 assists off the bench.
Wolves part ways with head coach Krunic, assistant Ikegaya, Jelks, Edwards
The off-season will be a busy one for SYNTAINICS MBC after head coach Predrag Krunic, his assistant Tomoaki Ikegaya as well as leading foreign players Stephon Jelks and Vince Edwards will all be leaving the club. Krunic used a buy-out option in his contract and will be heading to Japan while Ikegaya will be retuning to his native Japan. Jelks departs after two seasons with the club and 68 appearances in the league and cup. Edwards joined the team during last season and ended up playing 21 games.
Rostock do not offer extension to head coach Christian Held
ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES will have a new head coach for 2024-25 as they decided against offering an extension to Christian Held after three seasons at the helm. The 35-year-old joined the club in 2020 and served as assistant coach to Dirk Bauermann. Held took over as main playcaller in 2021 and he nearly guided the club to the playoffs in 2023. Things were less successful this past season but the club remained committed to Held despite a 13-game losing streak. In the end, Rostock were successful in avoiding relegation to the ProA.
Heidelberg do not offer new contract to head coach Freyer
MLP Academics Heidelberg are now on the search for a new coach for next season as they decided against offering a contract to Ingo Freyer, who came to the club in January and helped them avoid relegation. This was the third straight season Freyer joined a team in turmoil during the year and helped them steer clear from the drop.
Relegated Crailsheim do not re-sign head coach Laakso, extend for two years with Stuckey
HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim have already made some big announcements looking ahead to 2024-25 as the relegated club parted ways with their head coach Jussi Laakso but re-signed German wing Maurice Stuckey. Laakso was not offered a contract after he could not keep Crailsheim from finishing 17th in the league. The club this week also agreed to a two-year contract extension with the German veteran Stuckey until 2026. The 33-year-old, who has been with Crailsheim since December 2019, collected 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals last season.
Player(s) of the Week(s)
There were three “rounds” of games this week - the Play-Ins plus the first two games of the first round series - so we have three Player of the Week honors to hand out. For the Play-Ins, the top performance came from Aljami Durham of Veolia Towers Hamburg, whose efficiency of 30 from 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting (7/11 threes) and 5-of-6 free throws, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal were not enough against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. Silas Melson of Ludwigsburg was the big winner for the Game 1s as he poured in 33 points on 11-of-19 shots (7/13 threes) and 4-of-5 free throws, 3 assists and 1 steal for an efficiency of 28 in the team’s upset win over FC Bayern Munich. The regular season champs Munich delivered the Player of the Week for the Game 2s as Isaac Bonga came off the bench for 18 points on 5-of-5 shooting (2/2 threes) and 6-of-7 free throws, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block for an efficiency of 32 in the win over Ludwigsburg.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Joel Aminu, RASTA Vechta
Aminu is having a strong series for Vechta as he picked up 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal in Game 1 against NINERS Chemnitz. He broke out big time in Game 2 with a career-high 30 points thanks to 5 three-pointers to go with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
G: Andi Obst, FC Bayern Munich
Obst earned his spot in this group for his late game heroics in Game 1 to send the game to overtime before losing in the extra session to MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. He made 4 three-pointers and scored 16 points to go with 1 rebound and 2 assists. In Game 2, Obst picked up 4 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
F: Isaac Bonga, FC Bayern Munich
Yeah, yeah, two Bayern players … but how can you not have Obst and Bonga for their individual showings against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. Bonga had a solid 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in Game 1 and then collected 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in Game 2.
F: Jonathan Bähre, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Bähre and the rest of Ludwigsburg had a busy week. First he tallied 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in the Play-Ins loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn. Bähre had 12 points, 4 offensive rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in the Play-Ins win over Veolia Towers Hamburg. In Game 1 against FC Bayern Munich, the forward contributed 9 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block and he added 2 points, 2 assists and 1 steal in Game 2.
F: Johannes Thiemann, ALBA BERLIN
The world champion Thiemann had two big games in two Berlin wins over Telekom Baskets Bonn. In Game 1, he scored 12 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists and then tallied 15 points with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in Game 2.
Young Guns
Johann Grünloh, 18, C, RASTA Vechta
Grünloh contributed 8 points on 2-of-4 shots and 4-of-4 free throws, 10 rebounds - 4 of them from offensive glass, 1 assist and 1 steal in 26:12 minutes of Game 1 against NINERS Chemnitz. He was saddled with foul trouble in Game 2 and had 2 points on 1-of-1 shots with 1 rebound and 1 block in 15:00 minutes.
Len Schoormann, 21, SG, EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Schoormann’s season with Oldenburg ended with him picking up 5 points on 2-of-6 shooting (1/5 threes) in 16:12 minutes against Veolia Towers Hamburg.
Dominykas Pleta, 19, SF, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Pleata had a strong game in the Play-Ins showdown with EWE Baskets Oldenburg with 7 points on 1-of-3 shooting (0/1 threes) and 5-of-6 free throws 5 rebounds 1 assist and 1 block in 13:03 minutes. The young talent had 2 points on 1-of-2 shooting (0/1 threes) in 6:34 minutes in the Play-Ins game against Veolia Towers Hamburg. Pleta played 1:42 minutes and had 1 turnover in Game 1 against FC Bayern Munich and appeared for 59 seconds in Game 2 against Bayern.
German national team head coach Gordie Herbert to leave team after Olympics
Germany are officially on the lookout for a new national team coach after current playcaller Gordie Herbert announced he would be stepping down after the 2024 Olympics. Herbert has had a wildly successful reign as the German coach, guiding the team to third place at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 at home in Germany and then sensationally leading the country to the title at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Reports have ROSTOCK SEAWOLVES interested in hiring the 65-year-old Canadian, who had a deal with the German federation until 2025.
Germans Abroad
Ismet Akpinar’s season has come to an end as the German point guard and Galatasaray Istanbul were eliminated from the Turkish playoffs with a 2-1 first round series loss to Pinar Karsiyaka. Akpinar had 9 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists in Game 3 after picking up 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists combined in the first two games. For the season, the 28-year-old playmaker averaged 7.2 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29 games. This was the Hamburg native’s fourth season in Turkey.
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